Crime briefs

Online Extras

MORE ON CRIME: To see more coverage of crime in the Erie area, including Erie County’s Most Wanted and a map of incidents in Erie and Millcreek Township, click here.

Erie man charged with stealing scrap copper

Police have charged an Erie man with stealing scrap copper from a metal recycling business in late January.

Ramey K. Britt, 21, was accused of stealing a 100-pound sack of mixed copper, valued at $250, from Liberty Iron & Metal, 1515 East Ave., on Jan. 24. Erie police said a security guard at the facility witnessed the theft and later caught Britt on some nearby railroad tracks, where he was burning the insulation off copper wire, according to court documents filed by Erie police Det. Tom Gray.

Britt, of the 700 block of East 25th Street, was freed on $10,000 unsecured bond after he was arraigned Wednesday night by Erie 4th Ward District Judge Tom Robie on charges of trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Spartansburg man sentenced for exposing himself to child

A Spartansburg man was sentenced Thursday in Erie County Court to serve one to 12 months in the Erie County Prison, followed by two years of probation on charges he exposed himself to a 10-year-old child in 2007.

Carey J. Kieffer, 41, must also pay court costs and be evaluated to determine if he needs treatment as a sexual offender, President Judge Ernest J. DiSantis Jr. said.

DiSantis said he would quickly parole Kieffer and allow him to complete his supervision in Crawford County, where he is serving a sentence in an unrelated case.

The sentence came after Kieffer pleaded no contest Thursday to charges of endangering the welfare of a child and indecent exposure in a plea deal that dropped multiple charges. His lawyer, Garrett A. Taylor, said Kieffer maintains his innocence.

Millcreek police charged Kieffer in 2011, saying the incidents happened in 2007 in a residence on Canterbury Drive in Millcreek Township.

Erie man to face trial in downtown hotel robbery

An Erie man faces trial in the robbery of a local hotel in December.

Jose A. Diaz, 22, was held for trial on charges of robbery, conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief after his preliminary hearing Thursday morning. He remains in the Erie County Prison on $50,000 bond.

Diaz was accused of jumping the counter at the Downtown Erie Hotel, 18 W. 18th St., and breaking open a cash register to steal about $300 in cash on Dec. 18. His alleged accomplice, Joshua R. Mosley, 22, waived his preliminary hearing on a charge filed in January.

Diaz and Mosley also face trial on charges of robbing Modern Adult News, 1113 State St., on Jan. 6.